[Telemedicine and the ageing population].

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Gerontology
• Digital Health

Context:

• Addressing demographic shifts towards an aging population.
• Meeting the needs of elderly individuals preferring to age in place.
• Bridging geographical distances impacting family support for seniors.

Purpose:

• To explore telemedicine's role in adapting healthcare delivery for an aging demographic.
• To examine innovative technological solutions for remote patient monitoring and care.
• To assess the effectiveness and cost-benefit of telemedicine applications in elder care.

Summary:

• Telemedicine leverages information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve healthcare access, especially for rural and aging populations.
• It addresses challenges posed by an aging demographic, multimorbidity, and shorter hospital stays, enabling better home-based support.
• Despite initial reservations, elderly acceptance of ICT for healthcare is growing, supported by research on effectiveness and cost-benefit.

Impact:

• Enhances healthcare accessibility for remote and elderly populations.
• Supports independent living for seniors through innovative assistive technologies.
• Improves caregiving quality and reduces health risks post-hospital discharge.